izzyttt's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Anakin is my weak spot in everything Star Wars, so of course I was going to read this book. And let me tell you, I wasn’t disappointed.
I absolutely love the metaphor of Anakin as the sun-dragon. It represents him so well. He burns bright enough to send the entire galaxy aflame, and this book is a great example.
His quiets moments with Padmé also had me swooning. I love those two together so much and it was very satisfying to have a bit of a window into their secret stolen moments.
I wasn’t sure about the inclusion of Mill, especially since Ahsoka is supposed to be Anakin’s first experience as a big brother/Master, but he felt more like a father figure with Mill. It felt a bit like watching how he would have been with Leia, if he’d had the chance to see her grow up.
The writing isn’t perfect, and there are a few inconsistencies (like Obi-Wan being able to undo his restraint?!) but I really liked it.
I absolutely love the metaphor of Anakin as the sun-dragon. It represents him so well. He burns bright enough to send the entire galaxy aflame, and this book is a great example.
His quiets moments with Padmé also had me swooning. I love those two together so much and it was very satisfying to have a bit of a window into their secret stolen moments.
I wasn’t sure about the inclusion of Mill, especially since Ahsoka is supposed to be Anakin’s first experience as a big brother/Master, but he felt more like a father figure with Mill. It felt a bit like watching how he would have been with Leia, if he’d had the chance to see her grow up.
The writing isn’t perfect, and there are a few inconsistencies (like Obi-Wan being able to undo his restraint?!) but I really liked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death of parent, Suicide, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Slavery
jazhandz's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’m a huge fan of Mike Chen, and of prequel era Star Wars, so I’ve been unbelievably hyped about this book since it was announced. This is everything I wanted it to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
Minor: Grief
In the vein of the mass shooting content warning, the central incident of this book is a terrorist attack, with a lot of discussion of the consequences and the deceased.madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, War, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Xenophobia
ehmannky's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun read! I loved getting to see more of the Neimoidians and having them portrayed as a complex culture, rather than being the flat Asian stereotype they were in the original trilogy. The Anakin chapters weren't my favorite, but that might just be the fact I do not care about Anakin as a character. But I loved the Obi Wan chapters! And I just loved reading this while watching the show as it unfolds. It's just been a really interesting to compare those characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, War, and Violence
grimdark_dad's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, War, and Slavery
romie_chat's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
“Neutrality in the face of extremism only gives the extremists more space to breathe.”
I remember being little and sitting in the very first row in a packed movie theatre to see Revenge of the Sith. already then, I was intrigued and wanted more, wanted to see how Anakin was promoted as a Jedi Knight, seeing the first days of his marriage to Padmé, and more than anything, seeing how his relationship with Obi-Wan evolved.
Mike Chen truly gave me everything I wanted. he gave us a deep-dive into Anakin’s complicated mind and allowed us to understand him on another level. I loved seeing how similar Anakin and Obi-Wan are in a way, how they are both incredible teachers in their own ways and how deep their emotions run.
I adore Mill, a youngling struggling with her relationship to the Force and the Jedi Order becoming more and more military-like. I would happily read an entire book just about her. she’s such an important character when it comes to Anakin understanding that he can impact the youth in such a profound way.
one last thing I found deeply interesting is how this book can be read as a commentary on colonialism and its aftermaths, as well as a commentary on war. I’m raising my metaphorical glass of caf to the author, it was brilliant! (4.29)
I remember being little and sitting in the very first row in a packed movie theatre to see Revenge of the Sith. already then, I was intrigued and wanted more, wanted to see how Anakin was promoted as a Jedi Knight, seeing the first days of his marriage to Padmé, and more than anything, seeing how his relationship with Obi-Wan evolved.
Mike Chen truly gave me everything I wanted. he gave us a deep-dive into Anakin’s complicated mind and allowed us to understand him on another level. I loved seeing how similar Anakin and Obi-Wan are in a way, how they are both incredible teachers in their own ways and how deep their emotions run.
I adore Mill, a youngling struggling with her relationship to the Force and the Jedi Order becoming more and more military-like. I would happily read an entire book just about her. she’s such an important character when it comes to Anakin understanding that he can impact the youth in such a profound way.
one last thing I found deeply interesting is how this book can be read as a commentary on colonialism and its aftermaths, as well as a commentary on war. I’m raising my metaphorical glass of caf to the author, it was brilliant! (4.29)
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
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